### 231

You are stopped at the gate by three Imperial Guardsmen who challenge you to identify yourself and state your business here. You give them the Durenese Consulate Pass that you received from Envoy Helsar and they examine it carefully. One of the guardsmen calls for his sergeant to come forward and he hands the hard-faced warrior your pass. After scrutinising it for a few moments, he commands a squad of his imperial soldiers stationed in the courtyard beyond the gate to come forward and surround you. The sergeant looks once more at the pass and swiftly snatches the horse’s reins from your hands.

‘You’re under arrest. Come with me,’ he says, curtly. The squad unshoulder their kirusamis and point them at you menacingly. You are left in no doubt that they will use them if you attempt to escape.

The sergeant and his men escort you and your horse into the courtyard and take you to a blockhouse. You are pulled from the saddle and pushed towards its open door.

‘Did you really think you could use this pass to enter the Imperial Palace?’ says the sergeant, with contempt. ‘These numerals tell me you are seventy-nine years old. Hah! If that is so, you’re the youngest old man I’ve ever seen!’

You are grabbed by two of the sergeant’s men and shoved through the blockhouse door.

Turn to 270.